As expected, Rickey Henderson was elected to the Hall of Fame today, receiving 511 of a possible 539 votes. Nice to know I share a profession with 28 dolts.

All Henderson did was play 25 years, collect 3,055 hits, score 2,295 runs and steal 1,406 bases. He had a career OBP of .401, played in 14 postseasons and helped win two World Series. He was a Yankee from 1985-89 but will surely be inducted as a member of the Oakland Athletics.

UPDATE, 2:07 p.m.: Players remain on the ballot for up to 15 years provided they receive at least five percent of the vote. Players who will return to the ballot next year are Dawson, Blyleven, Smith, Morris, Raines, McGwire, Trammell, Parker, Mattingly, Murphy and Baines.

UPDATE, 2:09 p.m.: I would think that Tim Raines receiving only 22.6 percent (down from last season’s 24.3 percent) would not go over well with those who are statistically inclined. Raines could well be the second-best leadoff hitter ever.

Bert Blyleven’s candidacy has become a hot topic in the internets. He has gone from 53.3 percent in 2006 to 62.7 percent this season. But that’s still a long way from 75 percent.

Mark McGwire dropped a few points this season. Mattingly, meanwhile, remains in the teens.

UPDATE, 2:22 p.m.: For what it’s worth, I once asked Ron Guidry whether he thought Rice should be in the Hall of Fame and he looked at me like I was crazy. “Of course he should be,” Guidry said. “Guy scared the crap out of every pitcher in the league.”